Leo stood in the bathroom of his suite, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The gash on his forehead was stitched together, but the skin around it was red. He gingerly touched it and winced as pain shot through him.

It had taken some finagling to let the doctors release him, but when his mother insisted that their family doctor was currently en route here, they agreed. Thankfully Leo had convinced his parents and Dr. Wilson that Marianna had to come as well. She was currently getting changed and then would meet him at his suite. His stomach lightened at the thought of her coming. It felt good to have an ally in all of this.

He opened the cap of his gel and rubbed it into his hair, making it look tousled in a purposeful way. Once he was done, he rinsed his hands and dried them on a nearby towel. After tying his bowtie, he straightened his cummerbund and flipped off the light in his bathroom.

The chandelier that hung from the ceiling in the center living room glowed against the setting sun. The rooms at the Ritz-Carlton were beautiful. They spared no detail. The furniture was plush and the wood accents were carved in intricate patterns.

The New York skyline shimmered in the floor-to-ceiling windows. The city was a magical place that Leo could look at, but never experience. Not when every aspect of his life was planned.

His muscles itched. When he got like this, the best thing he could do to calm himself down was to run. Run away from everything that scared or frustrated him. And right now, not being the king that his country and family wanted him to be scared him.

He swallowed as he walked over to the drink cart and poured himself a scotch. Just as he lifted the glass to his lips, a knock sounded on his door.

After setting the glass down, he made his way over and turned the handle. Marianna stood in the hall with her eyes wide. Like she'd been scared by something.

But Leo was having a hard time processing anything but how beautiful she looked. Her long dark hair was pulled up, accentuating the lines of her long neck and the smoothness of her skin.

She had on a floor-length navy dress with hand-sewn beads that sparkled against the light. The neckline curved down, hinting at what was underneath but not exposing it.

"Wow," he said. For some reason, he didn't feel the need to be shy about his appreciation. They'd already decided that this was strictly an arrangement. That getting emotionally involved was off the table.

Her skin flushed as she reached up and rubbed her shoulder. "Is it too much? I mean, am I giving our plan away?"

Leo pressed his finger to his lips and motioned for her to follow him into the suite. Filippo was in the adjoining room and had not yet emerged. Plus, he didn't want anyone in the hall to overhear them.

Once inside, he lead her over to his room and shut the door. Now safe, he looked over at her. She was glancing around, her eyes huge.

"This is where you are staying?" she asked, parting her lips. Her full, pink lips.

Leo cleared his throat and dropped his gaze. What was the matter with him? Day one and he was already going back on his promise to her.

So he pulled his thoughts away from how beautiful she looked and nodded. "Yeah. It pales in comparison to the one at home."

Marianna coughed. "What?"

He shrugged. They lived in a two-hundred-year-old castle. It was huge.

She whistled. "I'd love to see that."

"You will."

When she didn't speak, he glanced over at her. Her expression was uneasy. Had they not really talked about this? Maybe he should tell her just what she was getting herself into.

"I mean, if that's okay," he said.

She chewed her lip as she studied him. "I have to go to your country?"

He nodded. Unease rising up in his chest. "Is that okay?"

She walked over to the bed and sat down. "I guess I didn't think of that. I mean, I will be your fiancée. Of course I'll have to go home with you." She turned to look at him, her forehead wrinkled. "When's your birthday? That's when the stipulation is over, right?"

He laughed and walked over to her. He sat down and let his hand hover above her shoulder. He wondered if he should touch her or not. But then realized that it looked worse to just hang there, so he lowered his hand and let it rest on her shoulder.

As much as he tried to fight it, feeling her skin under his fingertips created a reaction in his stomach. Zaps of electricity shot down his arm.

"I promise you, you are going to have the time of your life. Caro is beautiful this time of year. Think of it as a month-long vacation." He leaned closer to her. For a moment, he allowed his flirty nature to come out. "I will make it worth your while."

Her eyes widened as her gaze dropped to his lips for a second before she snapped it back up. He swallowed. Was it possible she felt the attraction too? But then he pushed that thought to the back of his mind. That was the last thing he should be focusing on.

"You think so?" she asked, dropping her gaze to study her hands.

He nodded and squeezed her shoulder. "You're going to do great. And my country is going to love you as much as you are going to love it. Together, we can help each other out. This Samson guy will be a thing of the past."

She blew out her breath and nodded. "Thing of the past," she repeated.

There were three solid knocks on the door. Marianna sprung up from the bed like a rabbit. She whipped around. "Who is that?"

Leo smiled at how fidgety she was. She'd obviously never been in cahoots with someone before. "Relax. It's probably just Filippo." He stood, adjusted his tux, and made his way past her.

She reached out and grabbed his arm. "Should I be in here? Will he suspect anything?"

He laughed and patted her hand. "You forget, Mari. I am a prince. I can do whatever I want and have whoever I want in my room." He wiggled his eyebrows. Her cheeks flushed again.

"But—"

He waved away her concern. "You are a nurse. I'm sure you could come up with a medical reason for why you are here." When he got to the door, he glanced back to see that she was chewing on her thumbnail. Her gaze swept around the room as if she were trying to come up with a lie.

He chuckled and turned the handle. He was going to have to teach her how to be a better liar.

Just as he’d thought, Filippo was standing on the other side. When his gaze fell on Marianna, he raised his eyebrows. "Your Highness," he said, bringing his gaze back.

"Yes?" Leo was used to this. He didn't have to explain himself to his bodyguard. Maybe to his mother, but even then, he was going to be king, and kings didn't answer to anyone.

"I wanted to let you know that the limo is downstairs." Filippo's gaze made its way back to Marianna. He leaned forward. "Is there a reason why the nurse is in here?"

Leo glanced back in a smooth manner. As if it were totally normal that he had a woman in his room. "She was running a few vitals, you know, to make sure I'm okay."

"He's tip top," Marianna said, raising her finger in the air.

Leo cocked his head, which seemed like the worst response. A panicked looked flashed over her face and she began to pace.

"Is she okay?" Filippo asked.

Leo nodded. "She'll be fine." He leaned closer. "She's not used to being around royalty."

That sparked a look of recognition. "Understood. Should I give her some pointers?"

Leo shook his head. "No. It's best to keep from talking to her." The he turned around. "The limo is here, Marianna."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Wonderful." She sprinted past him and Filippo and stopped at the front door. She turned and nodded toward them. "Coming?"

Leo nodded, shut his bedroom door, and then followed Filippo out of his suite.

The elevator ride down was quiet. Leo wondered what Marianna was thinking, but knew better than to ask. Especially with Filippo around. It was probably best to keep everyone in the dark.

Dinner was pleasant. The food was delicious, but most of Leo's attention was focused on how he was going to pull off the mixed-up engagement. His parents would be upset, and he needed to play it off like he truly believed he'd done the right thing.

Everything was riding on this. He would drag Marianna down with him if he couldn't keep up the act.

Gisella leaned over and smiled at him. "How are you feeling?" she asked.

He wondered if she could tell that he was lying. That proposing to her made his stomach churn. But, he couldn't show that part of him, even if she suspected. He'd started this amnesia farce, and he was going to see it to the end.

"I'm okay." He smiled weakly at her. "And you?"

She narrowed her eyes as her gaze roamed his face. "When are you going to give it up?" And then she stopped, raising her pointer finger. "Never mind. You have to propose no matter what, so it doesn’t matter." She moved to lean back in her chair.

He hated the power she thought she held over him. Why couldn't his mother see what her and her father had planned? Once the Marasco family had their claws in the government, there was no getting them out.

He kept a cool countenance, even though he was boiling with rage inside. He was tired of all of this. He pushed away from the table and stood. Marianna's gaze landed on him. Just as he turned, he almost ran into a waiter carrying chocolate cake for dessert.

But with the way he was feeling, he was no longer hungry. He was ready to get this horrible night over with. "I need a walk," he said.

Marianna scrambled up from her seat, colliding with the waiter bringing her dessert and flinging the cake against the nearby wall. "I'm so sorry," she said, moving to help him clean it up.

"It's okay, ma'am. I've got it covered." The man reached out to still her.

Marianna glanced over at him and then nodded. "Okay." She wrung her hands together. "I really am so sorry."

The waiter waved away her worry.

"Now, the walk?" she asked, turning her attention over to Leo.

"Where are you going?" his mother asked, raising her eyebrows.

"I am feeling a bit dizzy. I think some fresh air would do me good." He pressed his hand on his forehead, inches away from his gash.

His mother's skin paled and she nodded. "Of course. Filippo, please."

Filippo nodded and stepped up to Leo, but Leo held up his hand. "I was hoping that Marianna could accompany me. After all, if anything did happen, she'd be the best person to have alongside me."

"Leo." His mother's voice was low and commanding.

"I will be fine, Mother. The doors are locked and we are secure. Marianna will take responsibility." He glanced over at her.

Marianna nodded. "Yes, of course. I will keep him safe."

His mother quirked an eyebrow.

"It's for the best," Leo said, hoping his mother would understand his meaning.

She sighed. "Fine. Back here in ten minutes."

He nodded and headed toward the open door.

"Don't forget the plan," his mother called after him.

Leo slipped into the hallway and took a deep breath. Attempting to push out the feeling of guilt he had built up inside of himself.

"Are you okay?" Marianna asked as she appeared in the doorway. She reached out and pressed her hand against his head.

Leo winced as her fingers brushed his cut.

She must have noticed because she pulled her hand instantly away. "I'm so sorry," she said.

Leo shook his head. "No worries. You didn't mean to."

Marianna took in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. "So, you want to walk?"

He nodded. "It was getting too stuffy in there."

"I get it. I about died when they brought me tartare. Blegh. Tasted like cat food."

Leo laughed as they started walking down the hall. Filippo was a few feet behind them. "You've eaten cat food before?"

Her lips parted as she glanced around. "Geez, aren't you Mr. Literal. No, I've never eaten cat food. But I've smelled it. And I can only imagine that raw meat mixed with spices probably tastes similar."

Leo laughed. The more he was getting to know Marianna, the more he liked her. "So, tartare is not your favorite."

She wrinkled her nose. "No."

"So what do you like?"

Her expression turned contemplative. "Where my parents live, there's this tiny shop that makes the best fish and chips ever. They catch the fish in the morning and serve it up in the afternoon. So fresh." She kissed her fingertips and brought them out. "So delicious."

Leo watched her. "That sounds amazing. You should take me sometime."

Marianna's playful smile turned serious. "You want me to take you?"

Was that the wrong thing to say? She had to know that once they were engaged, she was going to have to pretend, and that meant meeting her parents.

But, perhaps it was too overwhelming. So he gave her a calm smile. "Let's start from the beginning," he said as they entered one of the rooms where art hung from the walls.

Her shoulders seemed to relax, which he took as a good sign.

"Tell me about your family."

Her fingers played with the fabric of her dress as she stood in front of a mural. "My mom runs an antique shop and my dad is a plumber." He saw her peek over at him.

He studied her. Was she embarrassed by this? "They sound amazing," he said.

She snorted. "They're humble." And then her smile softened. "But I love them."

"Do they like what you do? Being a nurse?"

Marianna folded her arms and moved on to the next painting. "They love me and support me. I know they would rather I lived closer, but they know I love how fast-paced the city is." Then she dropped her voice. "Or used to love."

He glanced over at her, hoping her expression would tell him more. He parted his lips, but she moved on, out of ear shot.

"Sir, we should get back," Filippo said.

Leo jumped. He'd been so wrapped up in his conversation with Marianna, he'd completely forgotten about Filippo.

How was he going to pull this off with Filippo inches away at all times? Acting jumpy and nervous was the last thing he should be doing, so he turned and smiled at Filippo. "Why don't Marianna and I finish our walk, ending at the front windows where mother said the cameras are waiting. You run back and escort…" He purposefully dropped his expression. "What was her name?"

"Gisella?" Filippo offered.

"That's right, Gisella, to the intended spot where I will propose to her."

Filippo studied him. Leo could see the doubt in his gaze.

"Don't worry. I promise I will keep my eye on him." Marianna approached them, wrapping her hand around his arm. "Getting up and moving is good for him."

Filippo hesitated and then nodded. "Five minutes. Front windows."

Leo smiled, and Filippo turned and disappeared back to the room where the dinner was being held.

Leo glanced down at Mari’s hand resting on his arm. He couldn't help it when his heart picked up speed. Was it wrong that he liked when she touched him? She was different. Not like anyone he'd ever met.

"Thanks," he said, smiling down at her. It wasn't until he turned his face toward her that he realized just how close they were.

Marianna seemed to notice as well—she pulled back, breaking their contact. She rubbed her arms and nodded. "Anything I can do to help."

His arm felt cold in her absence, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so he nodded and followed after her. Besides, with the way his heart was racing and his stomach lightened, he needed a moment to compose himself. He couldn't like the woman he was faking a marriage with. That was the one thing he had promised her he wouldn't do.